Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations

Health Industries, Hospitals Keep Careful Eye On Capitol Hill Action

The delayed vote injects uncertainty into the health care stock markets while some hospitals put plans on hold until more is known about the changes Republicans have proposed. Meanwhile, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce president urges lawmakers to follow through with repeal efforts.

Bloomberg:
Wall Street Frets Over Health Vote's Impact
As Republicans in Congress tried to wrangle enough votes to pass their health care bill Thursday, the S&P 500 Index swung from a gain to a loss, continuing its worst selloff of the Trump era. Meanwhile demand rose for traditional safe havens like Treasuries. By the close of trading, the GOP had decided to delay the vote as conservatives mulled a proposal from the Trump administration. The S&P 500 finished down 0.1 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was essentially flat and the Nasdaq 100 Stock Index fell 0.2 percent. (Burger, 3/23)

Marketplace:
Hospitals Worry As Obamacare Repeal Vote Approaches
The AHA launched a media campaign against the bill and brought dozens of hospital leaders to lobby members of Congress. The real danger, [Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association,] said, is that the hospital would have to absorb the cost of care for the uninsured patients. So as executives have made their case to lawmakers, one message they carry is that hospitals are businesses. (Gorenstein, 3/23)

The Wall Street Journal:
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Chief Tells House GOP: Pass Health Bill Now, Improve It Later
Tom Donohue, the president of the U.S. Chamber of commerce, has a plea for lawmakers wavering in their support for the GOP’s health-care overhaul: stick with it if you want a better outcome. Speaking in a Thursday morning interview, Mr. Donohue said it was imperative for lawmakers to keep their eyes on the ultimate prize – repealing and replacing the 2010 Affordable Care Act. Even if the House Republicans’ bill falls short of their various desires, he said, the only way to improve the bill is to pass it and continue work in the Senate. (Hackman, 3/23)

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